Everyone is more than welcome to take part in our activities and events. Please come and visit us in room A221 (right beside Roadrunner lounge) in Abbotsford campus and in the G building (the old daycare, with the fence aropund the building) at the Chilliwack campus.
Summer program at UFV gives context for Aboriginal land claims issues: Certificate of Indigenous Studies
With 60 per cent of BC’s eligible First Nations bands in the treaty process, hundreds of negotiations are underway across the province at any given time to address outstanding economic and social injustices. Unfortunately, many of the people involved in treaty and land claims deliberations are not fully aware of the history and context of the discussions happening today.
UFV is introducing a new short certificate program to help these individuals acquire and explore key background knowledge quickly and thoroughly. The certificate in Indigenous Studies: Maps, Films, Rights, and Land Claims will be delivered May 4-25 in Chilliwack, in the heart of traditional Stó:lõ First Nations territory.
For Aboriginal groups, hereditary title is the source of rights within their traditional territories. Because of this, First Nations view land, sea, and resources as fundamental components of modern treaties. This three-course, 12-credit certificate gives participants the opportunity to learn skills that are of direct relevance to the history, communication, implementation, and critique of rights, title, and land claims. It will use film, oral histories, documentaries, surveys and maps, and legal discourse analysis, explaining their importance to the indigenous land and rights process, with a specific focus on British Columbia.
“There is a clear shortage of people — of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal descent — who have both the cultural understanding and practical skills required for the successful negotiation and resolution of Indigenous land claims. This certificate should provide students with a credential that they can take back to their communities, organizations, firms, and government ministries,” says Dr. Eric Davis, dean of the Faculty of Arts at UFV.
Participants will learn in a small group with instructors who have extensive experience in the field, including
Hugh Brody, author, filmmaker and Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal Studies; Dr. Ken Brealey, head of the geography department at UFV; Dr. David Shaepe, senior archaeologist and manager of the Stó:lõ Research and Resource Management Centre; and Sonny McHalsie, cultural research director with the Stó:lõ Nation. The program begins with in-class and in-field learning delivered daily in three focused weeks between May 4 and 25 and uses the remaining time in the semester (until June 20) for student assignments.
“Treaties provide an important path towards reconciliation and enhance certainty on the land base. They also help to close the social and economic gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal British Columbians,” says Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. “I applaud UFV for offering an intensive program of study that will greatly benefit people who are involved in important negotiations and who wish to play a positive role in building upon the momentum that has been achieved in establishing a new relationship with the Aboriginal peoples of BC.”
Interested parties are strongly encouraged to apply by April 30 to begin May 4. Current UFV students need only apply to the program by submitting a letter outlining their interest in and connection to the field of study. Non-UFV students must also apply to the university but can do so simultaneously. Please call Nicole Levinsky at 604-854-4568 or email nicole.levinsky@ufv.ca to facilitate the process.
Full details, costs, course info, and instructor profiles are available at www.ufv.ca/landclaims .
Indigenous Studies Speakers Series
Aboriginal Access Services (AAS) and the Faculty of Arts are pleased to announce the Indigenous Speakers Series which began in January 2009. In planning for an Indigenous Studies program to be offered at the University of the Fraser Valley, AAS has invited several Indigenous academics to lead important dialogue in this area. Invited are Taiaiake Alfred (January 15 2009), Michele Pidgeon (January 22, 2009), Verna Kirkness (TBC), Lorna Williams (February 26, 2009) and Rauna Kuokkanen (TBC).
Sweat Ceremonies
Every third Sunday of the month out on the Soowahlee First Nation with Elder Terry Prest. Anyone who doesn't know where that is meets Shirley Hardman at 9 a.m. at the Cultus Lake shopping centre, and goes from there.
Halq'emelylem Singing and Chatting
Come out and speak the language or learn some terms with the graduating class from SFU, they will be meeting and practising singing and speaking in Halq'emeylem every Monday evening from 4:30 to 7:30 in building G 130 Chilliwack campus, join us any time.
For more information, please contact Josephine Charlie at 1-888-504-7441 local 2835 or contact via email at arc@ufv.ca
